Born of Osiris focus on their strengths in the absence of energy to deliver an album that has a mix of the old new, and the best to come.
Since Joe Buras & Lee McKinney left Born of Osiris, there has been an obvious shift in how they would make music. The band is now comprised of hard hitters Cameron Losch, Ronnie Canizaro & Nick Rossi. One mustn’t be surprised, though, BOO always has been a ground of expression for some of the best musicians to have ever graced the genre. Austin Krause, Mike Shanahan & the legendary shredder Jason Richardson. Yet, the core team remains true to the message of the machine and what they want to express. They do it more than adequately while going through change. This is Through Shadows.
The glimpse of this album has been revealed to fans for quite some time now. The second single in the new catalogue-Elevate, was released in 2024. The album, released last Friday, has been a run through all week for me. Born of Osiris seem to have placed the cheat code where formula takes a backseat. They might be metalcore giants, but doesn’t mean they aren’t open to experimentation.
What goes on record
When Seppuku opens the album-you feel yourself in the blue pill-red pill dilemma. It is an opening song with that level of dramatics, from screams to the kind of riff that just sticks with you. From the instrumental delivery to parts of the solo, you can see how the guitar effects are amplified for that unique touch. The Chicago outfit then give you Elevate, a single that already held its ground as a favourite among fans. From the memorable riff having a chunky, atmospheric attack and rhythm-this is one of the reasons that the band stands out. They view metalcore as something that they can truly place their fingerprint on-while showcasing that it can truly be melodic and aggressive in the same instance.
The album name now peeks through shadows. Sparse in notes, it creates more of a punctuating riff that has some great, crisp recording order. Vocals really stand out in this single, with the digital touch of the melodies dispersed through the song. It is the kind of song that retains a kick for more reasons than one and will have guitarists uploading YT videos of the play through in no time. Certified headbangers.
The sound that spearheads
Born of Osiris are known for experimenting with time signatures and sounds-if you remember Angel or Alien. The keyboard symphonies are still something that eased from the aggression of the guitar, which will remain centric to the band’s sound. Yet, Ronnie Canizaro & Nick Rossi combine their power with Cameron Losch to make a formidable, memorable sound that will be a part of their DNA. Openings like Inverno hold a special composition style that is aimed to disarming you. Scale changes or unique progressions might catch you off guard on the first listen, yet become something of a salute to prog-metal legends.
Is any of this power surprising, however? Not really, if you’ve been a BOO fan for all these decades. Since they have become more technical and proficient in how they explore themes-they are known for surprising the metal community. While McKinney focuses on his new band Dead Air Divine, there is an identifiable sound that Born of Osiris can power out whenever they desire.
Tracks that are defining
Don’t be fooled when you listen to the album, however. The atmospheric themes previously explored by BOO return when you hear a song like Burning Light. Long, introspective openings would leave you yearning for the drop. The riff would be the treat you had the patience for-because you know you could let loose. This is the kind of entrance Born of Osiris might be banking on as well, for their live shows are a spectacle worth absorbing at least once. Of course, I talk of the 2023 line up-meanwhile, unsure if the band is going to expand to more members for their live shows.
In Desolation has the kind of riff that you want to return to-and has that classic BOO touch. The band has managed to retain their special characteristics in style-while creating something that they can be proud of. When heard as a single, this song has a whole other impact-but a much more energetic delivery as a page from this new journal.
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What the band is progressing to
We aren’t alone when we wonder how the band is going to structure their music. All their members had a distinct place in their growing sound. This is a solid record overall, but I can’t help but wonder how some of these tracks are going to be executed live. Watching McKinney run around the stage while attacking the keyboard with vocals is something etched in my memory.
Top-notch talent, with technical knowledge that surpasses the genre’s outer limits as well. None of these will change because of musicians-Born of Osiris remains more than a band. It is a symbol of how a band can keep up with changes, yet move and grow. Through shadows, if they have to:
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